Max, formerly known as HBO Max, has a ton of great movies, some dating back more than 100 years, which can make the process of deciding on one a difficult task. But, before you lose yourself to the deep archive that is the platform’s streaming library, take a look at a few of our suggestions that are available to everyone with an active Max subscription, as of May 2024.
Barbie (2023)
Barbie was the highest-grossing movie of 2023 for good reason. Directed by Greta Gerwig, Barbie follows everyone’s favorite doll as she enters the human world to find the girl she is connected to in order to help her. If she doesn’t, Barbie will turn more human-like by the day. And, this one moment turns her life upside down.
The Zone Of Interest (2023)
Winning Best International Feature at the 2024 Academy Awards, The Zone of Interest is a must-watch. This movie focuses on the life of an Auschwitz commandant, and how he and his family live in the “Zone of Interest,” an area around the concentration camp. The movie was praised for its story and its sound, so you should check it out now that it’s streaming on Max.
Stream The Zone of Interest on Max.
The Batman (2022)
Robert Pattinson tackles the legendary role of Batman/Bruce Wayne in The Batman. Bruce has been fighting crime for two years in Gotham City, and now must uncover corruption as the Riddler (Paul Dano) wreaks havoc on the wealthy. It’s certainly one of the best live-action Batman movies out there, and there’s a sequel on the way.
Priscilla (2023)
Starring Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elorid, Priscilla is a biographical drama that tells the story of Priscilla Presley, the legendary wife of Elvis Presley, following the tale of how they met, fell in love, and navigated their complicated relationship until their divorce.
Evil Dead Rise (2023)
Are you ready for the return of the Evil Dead? Evil Dead Rise is the latest installment in the Evil Dead franchise, this time following the story of a mother who is possessed by the Deadites in that famed demonic book, and causing chaos for her sister and children on the same night. The film was a critical success – and even if you haven’t seen an Evil Dead movie before, this one is good for just a solo watch for any horror fan.
Inception (2010)
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio in one of his best movies, Inception is a film that will literally make you question everything. Directed by Christopher Nolan, the movie follows a professional thief who uses the subconscious minds of his targets for his jobs, but when he is offered the chance to have his criminal history erased by doing his skills, his life is turned upside down.
Modern Times (1936)
Charlie Chaplin’s 1936 silent movie classic, Modern Times, follows the Tramp (Chaplin) as he attempts to make sense of the technologically-advanced world around him and stay out of trouble, failing at both.
Joker (2019)
Witness the beginning of a legend. Joker is the latest adaptation of the famous DC villain, the Joker, but this time starring Joaquin Phoenix as the titular character, telling the origin story of how he donned that famous face paint and ended up becoming a symbol for all of crime in Gotham City, through his own madness. The actor won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal, and a sequel is on the way.
Dune (2021)
In this 2021 adaptation of the famous science-fiction novel, Dune stars an amazing ensemble cast and tells the story of Paul Atreidas (Timothée Chalamet), who sets out on a dangerous journey in order to find a way to save his family and his people. The sequel is out now, so you might as well check out or revisit Part One of the story on Max.
King Richard (2021)
Starring Academy Award-winner Will Smith, King Richard tells the story of Richard Williams (Smith), the father of famous tennis duo, Serena and Venus Williams, and the struggles he went through to see his daughters become the best tennis players in the world.
Superman I And II (1978, 1981)
You’ll be wanting to fly up and and away with Superman and its sequel, Superman II, both available on Max. The movies, considered some of the best Superman movies so far, star Christopher Reeve as the famous superhero and are directed by Richard Donner, telling the origin story of Superman, from his time as a young child on Krypton to his crime-fighting days against Lex Luthor.
Stream Superman on Max.
Stream Superman II on Max.
It Comes At Night (2017)
When it comes to horror movies, a great one to check out is It Comes At Night. Starring Joel Edgerton, the film follows a family that must hide in the forest when a contagious disease begins to take over their lives, and now they must fight to survive.
Stream It Comes at Night on Max.
The Color Purple (1985)
With the musical The Color Purple, starring Fantasia Barrino, earning plenty of awards, it’s the best time to check out the original. Starring Whoopi Goldberg as Celie, this hard hitting drama follows the life of a young African American woman who lives in the South during the early 1900s. The film was directed by Steven Spielberg and was nominated for several Academy Awards.
Stream The Color Purple on Max.
Aliens (1986)
If you love the best horror sci-fi films, then Aliens is the movie for you. The sequel to the film, Alien, this film takes the horror to a new level when not just one threat, but several, pop up on a human colony on a moon, and it’s up to Ellen Ripley to figure out what had happened. Arguably, I love Aliens more than the first movie, and it’s worth the time to watch.
Mortal Kombat (2021)
Based on the video game franchise of the same name, Mortal Kombat is a martial arts fantasy film that mainly follows Cole Young, a washed up martial arts fighter who is hunted down by an assassin, unknowing of who he truly is. In order to survive, he hires a slew of fighters to keep him safe. There’s a sequel coming out, so you might as well check out the first movie.
The Witch (2015)
If you’re looking for an excellent A24 horror movie, then The Witch is the one you have to check out. Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, the story takes place in the 1960s and follows a Christian family whose lives are turned upside down by witchcraft due to forces that are in the forest where they live. It was actually Taylor-Joy’s first film appearance and it’s super eerie, so certainly worth a watch.
Avatar: The Way Of Water (2022)
Return to Pandora with Avatar: The Way of Water. The long-awaited sequel to Avatar released in 2022 to stellar reviews, accolades, and plenty of box-office success. It tells the story of Jake Sully, now with a family, and his attempts to keep them safe when the Sky People go looking for him. In order to keep them safe, they stay with the Metkayina clan of Pandora, a group that lives near the water. With several sequels planned – but none coming for some time – might as well watch the sequel.
Stream Avatar: The Way of Water on Max.
Blue Beetle (2023)
Out of all the heroes that will appear in James Gunn’s upcoming DC universe, Blue Beetle is one that you need to check out. Blue Beetle follows the story of Jaime Reyes, a young man trying to help out his family in their time of need, but when he touches an ancient Scarab and it fuses with him, it gives him the powers of the Blue Beetle – a moment that will change his life forever. The movie unfortunately underperformed at the box office, but it is undeniably fun.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Mad Max: Fury Road changed the game when it dropped. The movie follows Max Rockatansky as he joins up with the Imperator Furiosa in a long road battle that changes his life forever. The Mad Max: Fury Road cast should honestly be enough to get you to watch this film, but if not, this movie won six Academy Awards. Plus, Furiosa, a prequel movie, is on its way.
Stream Mad Max: Fury Road on Max.
Parasite (2019)
Parasite shook the world when it released in 2019, going on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture and several other awards as well, breaking barriers for Asian representation at the Oscars. The film tells the story of a South Korean family who all steadily take jobs from a wealthy family as part of a greater scheme, but things take a turn and their lives are forever changed.
Dream Scenario (2023)
You know how it seems that Nicolas Cage just likes to star in everything? Well, Dream Scenario is one of his best movies ever. This film, hailing from A24, follows the story of a biology professor who is experiencing a strange situation – he is somehow appearing in everyone’s dreams, causing mayhem to ensue.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
If you’re looking for a Quentin Tarantino classic, then Pulp Fiction is the one for you. Starring John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson, this movie follows several stories and how they all interconnect through violence, from the two hit men that people are quite familiar with today, to a gangster, and everyone in-between.
Don Jon (2013)
Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt (which he also directed), Don Jon is the romantic comedy-drama that I think everyone should see. This film is about a young man who makes a living out of having casual relations with women even if it’s not exactly what gives him the most pleasure. However, his life turns upside down when he meets two women who change his lifestyle forever.
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Howl’s Moving Castle is an option that is great for the whole family – or just for yourself. The Studio Ghibli film follows Sophie, a young woman who is older in years in terms of marriage proposals, who suddenly finds herself under the spell of a witch that turns her old. She seeks to break the curse, but finds herself entangled in the world of the magical wizard, Howl.
Stream Howl’s Moving Castle on Max.
The Killing Of A Sacred Deer (2017)
Yorgos Lanthimos has been on a roll the last few years, so you should check out one of his most thrilling movies, The Killing of a Sacred Deer. The movie follows how the lives of a teenage boy and a cardiac surgeon begin to twist in unexpected ways, but things take a turn when the family of the surgeon begins to fall ill, one by one. This movie will truly change your life, trust me.
Stream The Killing of a Sacred Deer on Max.
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Starring Johnny Depp, Edward Scissorhands is always a must-watch whenever you can get your hands on it – as long as they’re not sliced off by his fingers. The classic film directed by Tim Burton tells the story of a humanoid who is given scissor blades for hands instead of actual fingers. One day, he is taken in by a welcoming family – and ends up falling for their daughter, all while trying to fit into the suburban community of people who are all curious about him.
Stream Edward Scissorhands on Max.
Scary Movie (2000)
While I do love my scary movies, there’s nothing better than a good parody movie, and Scary Movie is probably at the top of that list. This early 2000s movie that started off an entire franchise follows the story of a group of teenagers who hit a man with their car accidentally and decide to dispose of his body, but eventually, they are all hunted down one by one – in hilarious fashion. I literally don’t think you can get a better parody movie than this one.
Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
Nicolas Cage has starred in some excellent films, and Leaving Las Vegas is one of his best for his acclaimed acting. The drama film is based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name and tells the story of the Ben Sanderson, a suicidal alcoholic who travels to Las Vegas in order to end his life, but ends up developing a relationship with a sex worker. Cage won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his lead role in the film.
Stream Leaving Las Vegas on Max.
Casablanca (1942)
An American expatriate who runs a successful nightclub in Casablanca, Morocco, is given a second shot at redemption and love when his old flame waltzes back into his life and asks him to help her fugitive husband escape the Nazis once and for all. One of the greatest films to ever win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, Casablanca has it all: drama, romance, action, and one of the most quotable lines ever.
Carrie (1976)
“They’re all gonna laugh at you!” That’s the quote that will be repeating in your brains over and over when you watch Carrie. The movie, based on the Stephen King book of the same name, follows a high school girl named Carrie who is bullied at school, and lives with her religious mother back home. But one day, she discovers that she has telekinetic powers – and she uses them to her advantage when the bullying takes a dark turn, and she reaches her last straw.
The Breakfast Club (1985)
The Breakfast Club is probably one of the most-known eighties films of all time. This iconic teen comedy/romance follows a group of high schoolers all from different cliques who come together on one fateful day in detention, all while trying to survive under their strict vice principal.
Stream The Breakfast Club on Max.
The Last Black Man In San Francisco (2019)
The Last Black Man in San Francisco is a dramatic A24 movie about the story of Jimmie Fails, a young man who makes it his mission to reclaim the home that his grandfather built years ago in a San Francisco that is changing every day and getting harder for him to live in. Jimmie Fails also stars in the film, and co-wrote the story.
Stream The Last Black Man in San Francisco on Max.
Black Swan (2010)
Black Swan is an Academy-Award winning film directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Natalie Portman. The film captures the essence of a ballerina slowly losing her mind as she becomes obsessed with perfection regarding her starring role as the Black Swan in the stage production of Swan Lake. Truthfully I think this movie altered my brain chemistry in some way when I first saw it, and you need to see it, too.
Deadpool (2016)
He’s the Merc with a Mouth and he will mess you up. Deadpool is the first film in the Deadpool franchise, following a mercenary (played by Ryan Reynolds) who is diagnosed with cancer and undergoes a treatment that’s supposed to cure him but ends up giving him superpowers that change his life for the worse. Now, he uses it to fight against evildoers and find the person who did this to him. The third film is releasing in summer 2024, so now is the best time to watch the first.
The Revenant (2015)
Witness the role that finally won Leonardo DiCaprio the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2016. Based on the real-life experiences of High Glass, The Revenant follows a fur trapper as he struggles to survive after an attack from both Native Americans and a bear leave him wounded and near death. Now, he must find a way to survive after more of his men left him for dead.
Fargo (1996)
If you’re craving a black comedy crime film, Fargo is certainly one of the best to check out. This film, which was so popular it was turned into a TV series years later, was directed by the Coen brothers. It follows the story of a police chief in Minnesota who is on the case for a triple-homicide that is connected to a car salesman. The movie is one of William H. Macy’s best films, as well as Frances McDormand.
Barbershop (2002)
The first in a franchise of films, Barbershop, starring Ice Cube, tells the story of the social happenings going on at a local barbershop in the South Side of Chicago, and the people that come and go, following several stories throughout the film. The movie was so popular, two films followed after it.
Kong: Skull Island (2017)
The legend of King Kong continues. Kong: Skull Island is a film in the MonsterVerse and follows a group of soldiers and scientists who travel to the uncharted Skull Island in search of Kong, a giant ape, only to find that there is much more on this island than anyone thought there would ever be. The film is filled with stars, such as Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson and more.
Stream Kong: Skull Island on Max.
Godzilla (2014)
Godzilla is the first film in the MonsterVerse, and it’s an awesome one at that. A reboot of the Godzilla franchise, this movie follows a soldier who is trying to return home to his family while Godzilla is engaged in a battle with two other monsters. It’s all about survival to try and get back to the people he loves.
Flight (2012)
Directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Denzel Washington, Flight is a drama film that follows the story of William Whitaker, known as Whip, who despite his alcohol and substance abuse, is able to save the lives of his passengers when his plane crash-lands. However, as the media dives deeper into who he is, the truth about his past begins to come out.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)
Based on the graphic novel, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World follows slacker Scott Pilgrim as he sets out on a quest to defeat seven evil exes in order to date the girl of his dreams, Ramona Flowers. This film is so wacky when you watch it for the first time, but it’s so enjoyable, too. I would gladly check it out time and time again.
Stream Scott Pilgrim vs. The World on Max.
Seven Samurai (1954)
A group of seven ronin are given the opportunity to prove themselves and show off their courage and fighting skills when a small village seeks protection from an army of bandits. Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai remains one of the most influential movies of all time, both in Japan and around the world, and has spawned countless remakes since its 1954 release.
Jurassic World (2015)
In this fourth film of the Jurassic Park franchise, Jurassic World tells the story of what happens when the successful theme park, ‘Jurassic World,’ is suddenly under attack when its transgenic dinosaur escapes from its enclosure and causes chaos among the crowds. Now, it’s up to the park’s ethologist and operations handler to find a way to save everyone that’s alive from rampaging dinosaurs.
The Social Network (2010)
There may be tons of social networks now, but before Twitter, Snapchat, or TikTok, there was Facebook, and The Social Network is the story of how that came to be. The Academy Award-winning film tells the story of Mark Zuckerberg and how he built the famous social media site – and the complexities of business from behind the scenes.
Stream The Social Network on Max.
Sinister (2012)
In one of Ethan Hawke’s best movies, Sinister is a horror film that follows the story of a true-crime writer who begins to experience supernatural instances after moving his family into a new home, only to find out that there’s more to this house than he ever thought there was before, including plenty of murder.
The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy (2001 - 2003)
An unsuspecting Hobbit embarks upon a perilous journey to hell on earth to destroy the One Ring, an incredibly dangerous instrument that grants its bearer great power while also corrupting their mind and body. Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy remains a landmark cinematic experience even 20 years after it first took audiences to Middle Earth at the turn of the 21st century.
Stream The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring on Max.
Stream The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers on Max.
Stream The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King on Max.
The Lighthouse (2019)
While at first it wouldn’t seem like a horror-comedy, A24’s The Lighthouse will both horrify and delight you. The film stars Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe as two lighthouse keepers in the 19th century, and follows what happens to them when they are trapped at an outpost during a crazy storm – and as the days go by, their mental state deteriorates more.
Lost In Translation (2003)
Directed by Sofia Coppola, Billy Murray stars in Lost in Translation, a rom-com about a movie star who is having a midlife crisis and travels to Japan, where he finds himself connecting with a much younger woman, played by Scarlett Johansson. The movie surpasses any ideas on what you think a rom-com can be. It’s truly one of the best out there.
Stream Lost in Translation on Max.
Gangs Of New York (2002)
Did you think we were done with Leonardo DiCaprio movies? Heck no, because we have Gangs of New York to talk about. Directed by Martin Scorsese, the film is set in the 1800s and mainly follows an Irish immigrant who seeks revenge against the man who killed his father, the leader of a gang. So what does he do? He decides to infiltrate the gang himself.
Stream Gangs of New York on Max.
The Visit (2015)
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, The Visit is the kind of horror movie that makes you rethink going to grandma’s house. This found footage film follows two siblings who go to their grandparents home for the weekend, only to find out that they’re acting a lot stranger than normal, and they decide to figure out what’s going on.
Pet Sematary (1989)
Based on the novel by Stephen King, Pet Sematary is a classic horror movie that follows the story of how a family discovers an ancient Indian burial ground that has been turned into a pet sematary. But when their beloved cat suddenly comes back from the dead, it isn’t quite itself anymore, and eventually, this sematary is used for much darker purposes.
Swiss Army Man (2016)
Did you ever think that Daniel Radcliffe would play a farting corpse next to Paul Dano? Well, Swiss Army Man is that and more – trust me. The film follows a man who is stranded on an island and finds a dead body that he befriends but also finds that it can help him escape. But this corpse is more than meets the eye.
The Devil Wears Prada (2004)
In this classic comedy film, The Devil Wears Prada follows a young woman who works at a fashion magazine company and somehow has to live up to the expectations of her high maintenance boss, Miranda Priestly, and deal with her excessive demands, just so she can forward her career as a journalist. The Devil Wears Prada cast is insanely talented, which is led by a stellar performance from Meryl Streep.
Stream The Devil Wears Prada on Max.
Friday The 13th (1980)
Friday the 13th is one of the best horror movies of all time, so you better believe I’m going to put it on this list. The movie that started the Friday the 13th franchise, the film follows a group of teenage camp counselors who are murdered on the night of Friday the 13th years after a tragic incident occurred at the camp.
Stream Friday the 13th on Max.
Moonlight (2016)
Directed by Barry Jenkins, Moonlight is a coming of age film that follows the story of a Black man named Chiron, from childhood to adulthood, as he struggles to come to terms with his own sexuality and identity as well as the world around him. The film earned critical acclaim, and won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2017.
Hereditary (2018)
Arguably one of the best horror movies of the last decade is Hereditary. Directed by Ari Aster and starring Toni Collette, this movie tells the story of a family where evil runs deep to its core, and everything changes when the matriarch – the grandma – passes away and the evil decides to take root once again.
Midsommar (2019)
Coming right after Hereditary, Ari Aster decided to traumatize us again with Midsommar. The film follows a young woman who decides to travel to Sweden with her boyfriend and his friends for a midsummer festival after losing her entire family, only to find out that there are dark secrets that take place which change her life forever. Yeah, this is one of the best A24 horror movies, so you have to watch it.
Legally Blonde (2001)
When Elle Woods sets her mind to something, there is truly no stopping her – even getting into Harvard. Legally Blonde, one of Reese Witherspoon’s best movies, follows Elle, a girl who decides to study and get into Harvard Law School in order to win back her ex-boyfriend to show she’s ‘serious’ about her life.
The Dark Knight (2008)
While we already have one Batman film on this list, I have to mention The Dark Knight. Starring Christian Bale as Batman and Heath Ledger as the Joker, The Dark Knight is the second film in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, this time following Bruce Wayne as Batman as he works with the police to try and take down organized crime in Gotham, only to be ruthlessly tested by the Joker, who constantly puts a stop to Batman’s plans to reform his city.
Heath Ledger won a posthumous Academy Award for his portrayal of the Joker, and is considered one of the best portrayals of the famous supervillain of all time.
Stream The Dark Knight on Max.
Spirited Away (2001)
As someone who adores anime, Spirited Away is the movie to watch if you’re thinking of checking out a Studio Ghibli film. The movie follows a young girl who has to find a way to save her parents when they are turned into pigs by a witch when they consume food that was not meant to be theirs. But she has to do so by somehow surviving in the spirit world.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
Forgetting Sarah Marshall is hands down one of Jason Segal’s best movies. The film follows a young man who attempts to get away to Hawaii when his girlfriend suddenly breaks up with him – only for him to run into her on vacation, with her new boyfriend.
Stream Forgetting Sarah Marshall on Max.
Ex Machina (2015)
Directed by Alex Garland, Ex Machina is a sci-fi thriller that tells the story of a programmer who gives the Turing test to a robot capable of A.I. – which also happens to look like a human. But in doing so, he grows closer to the robot, so much so that it brings more harm than good into his life.
Now You See Me (2013)
Directed by Louis Leterrier, Now You See Me is the story of how an FBI agent and an Interpol detective work together in order to bring down the most cunning group of thieves ever — people who are magicians and use their acts in order to pull off robberies and heists, and now, they’re on the precipice of their biggest heist ever.
The Wizard Of Oz (1939)
A young girl is transported from a dusty farm in Kansas to the technicolor dreamland of Oz where she must defeat a wicked witch if she wants to ever see home again. To this day, The Wizard of Oz remains one of the most fantastical cinematic experiences and continues to enchant audiences of all ages.
Stream The Wizard of Oz on Max.
Robots (2005)
Robots is an underrated gem and I stand by that. This film features the stellar voice talents of Ewan McGregor, Robin Williams, Jennifer Coolidge and more, and is about a young robot named Rodney Copperbottom who dreams of working at his idol's company in Robot City, but discovers that there is a conspiracy behind it that he tries to fix.
The Harry Potter Films (2001 – 2011)
As someone who has rewatched the Harry Potter films time and time again, I knew I needed to include the world of Harry Potter. All eight films in the franchise are available to stream on Max. You can watch from the beginning of Harry’s education in the world of wizardry to his final battle with Voldemort, and how the magic world is changed forever.
Stream the Harry Potter franchise on Max.
Flashdance (1983)
If you ever need a movie that will get you off your feet, Flashdance is the one to watch. One of the best dance movies out there, Flashdance follows the story of a young woman who dreams of becoming a professional dancer, and her journey to prepare for an audition to a school that could change her life forever.
127 Hours (2010)
Based on the real-life story of Aron Ralston, 127 Hours is the grueling tale of how the hiker and canyoneer has to find a way to survive when he winds up trapped between boulders in a part of the United States where no one is there to help him. The film stars James Franco, and was nominated for several awards.
Sleepless In Seattle (1993)
If you’re looking for one of the best Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan movies, then Sleepless in Seattle is the one for you. The film follows a journalist and an architect whose lives become intercrossed when the architect's son calls into a talk radio show to find someone new for him after his wife passed away.
Stream Sleepless in Seattle on Max.
Malignant (2021)
If you love James Wan movies, then you need to check out Malignant. While not as “on the surface” scary as many of his other films, Malignant aims to creep you out over time before taking it all out with a bang. The film follows the story of a young woman who has visions of people being killed, but later realizes that it’s what is happening in her own life as well.
Good Will Hunting (1997)
Last but not least, we need to talk about Good Will Hunting. Starring Matt Damon and Robin Williams, the Academy Award-winning film follows the story of the titular character, Will Hunting, a janitor who has a natural gift for mathematics but has had a tough run in life. But when he meets a psychologist named Sean Maguire, his life is turned upside down and he is questioning things he never thought about before.
Stream Good Will Hunting on Max.
All of these movies and more are available to anyone with a Max subscription. This list will change as the months go by so make sure to bookmark this page and check back for all future updates.
